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Apple Predicted to Launch A9-Based 4-Inch iPhone in Early 2016, iPhone 7 Plus to Carry 3 GB of RAM

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KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a new research report outlining his expectations for Apple's 2016 iPhone launches, including several interesting tidbits about the upcoming devices.

First, Kuo believes Apple still has a new 4-inch iPhone in the works that "resembles an upgraded iPhone 5s". The device is said to be targeted for launch in the first half of next year and will come equipped with an A9 processor.
As there is still demand for a 4-inch iPhone, we believe Apple will upgrade this product line. Because the iPhone 5s is more popular than the iPhone 5c, we think Apple is likely to launch an upgraded iPhone 5s. We predict Apple will mass-produce this new 4-inch iPhone in 1H16 with metal casings. In order to make the current iOS 9 or next-generation iOS 10 run smoothly, Apple may adopt an A9 chip for this new phone.
Click to expand...
Kuo believes this new 4-inch iPhone will not include 3D Touch support as part of an effort to keep it differentiated from the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. He also projects Apple could ship 20-30 million units of this new iPhone through the end of 2016.

iphone_screen_sizes.jpg

Looking ahead to the next full refresh with the iPhone 7, Kuo expects the usual third-quarter launch in 2016 with an unsurprising upgrade to a new A10 chip to offer increased performance. He does, however, believe Apple will opt to differentiate between the two sizes of the iPhone 7 when it comes to RAM, with the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 carrying the same 2 GB seen in current iPhones while the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus will include 3 GB of RAM for performance reasons.

Kuo believes major winners for the 2016 iPhone cycle include Foxconn, which he expects will be the exclusive supplier for the new 4-inch iPhone, and TSMC, which he expects will be the sole provider of the A9 chip used in that phone as well as the A10 chip used in the iPhone 7.

Article Link: Apple Predicted to Launch A9-Based 4-Inch iPhone in Early 2016, iPhone 7 Plus to Carry 3 GB of RAM
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/11/03/kuo-4-inch-iphone-2016-iphone-7-ram/
it'd be nice if they wouldn't penalize people who like smaller form factors by removing functionality & power.

If a user has an iPad Air 2 for a couple years, and realizes the mini would be a more convenient and useful size for them, they're going to eat hundreds dollars on depreciation getting rid of their Air 2, only to spend a load of $ on a smaller iPad that has... the same hardware as an Air 2. Result is paying maximum money for a new device, and getting last years hardware for it, only smaller. Tough sell.
 
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I think this is a very essential product in the iPhone line up. Now that Apple has conquered the top end, this phone may be placed in the mid range to put it directly against the likes of Xiaomi, Huawei etc.,
 
All we need to do is look at the source of this rumor and realize we can ignore it.

On the other hand, a lower cost iPhone would hit the spot. My 3GS still rocks and I don't really need all the performance of 6S so a slightly slower, smaller model would be great for upgrade time.
 
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The plus could for sure use the extra RAM. I'd be surprised to see Apple coming out with a 4 inch in the beginning of the year, but it could occur at an Apple Watch presentation in April, possibly with an iPad Air 3
 
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Wow, to make predictions about a 4" iPhone 7 is one thing, but to make predictions about how much ram the iPhone 7S will carry is quite another! Bold, very bold!
 
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It was like pulling teeth for 2GB of RAM and now we're going to get 3GB just like that? I don't buy it - although the plus could use a boost.

How do I get paid to be an analyst?? Make obvious predictions 99% of the time and whether you're wrong or right it doesn't really matter.
 
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No way the memory will be increased right after they just did with the 6s - look how long it took for Apple to go from 1gb to 2!

Also 3D Touch is a hallmark feature. Apple intends apps to make increasing use of it - that will not happen if only *some* of Apples phones support it. So any future phone - just like TouchID - will have it....including this hypothetical 4" iPhone.
 
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I've just upgraded to a 6S after spending 3 years on a 4. I'm finding it hard to adapt as I prefer to smaller form factor.

A 4" screen is very appealing. Will see where this goes. I disabled 3D Touch in the first couple of hours so I don't mind if this new phone doesn't have it.
 
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I really doubt Apple would increase the RAM right after they just did! Look how long it took them to go from 1gb to 2gb!

Similarly, if Apple does indeed come out with a 4" phone, I doubt it will omit 3D Touch. Apple is trying to deepen its use throughout iOS and third party apps - but 3rd party apps won't bother if this feature will continue to work on only some iPhones! Just as with TouchID, all future iPhones will have 3D Touch.
 
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